Shikhar Dhawan Granted Divorce From Wife On Grounds Of Mental Cruelty

New Delhi: A local court has granted divorce to cricketer Shikhar Dhawan from his estranged wife, Aesha Mukerji, on grounds of mental cruelty.

Judge Harish Kumar of Patiala House Courts accepted all allegations made by Shikhar in the divorce petition, as his wife did not contest those or defend herself. The court noted that his wife had caused mental pain to the cricketer by forcing him to live separately from his only son for an extended period.

The court, however, refused to pass any order on permanent custody of the child, but allowed Shikhar visitation rights to spend time with his son in both India and Australia, where Aesha lives, and also interact with him over video calls. His wife has been asked to facilitate the child’s visits to India, including overnight stays with Shikhar and his family, for at least half the period of the school vacation.

Recognising Shikhar’s stature as an international cricketer, the court urged him to approach the Union government to seek assistance in addressing visitation or custody matters.

The cricketer married Aesha, who has two daughters from her first marriage, in October 2012.

According to the Shikhar’s petition, Aesha initially assured the cricketer to live with him in India. However, she failed do so given her commitments to ex-husband and two daughters she has with him.